“The child by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth” UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Timisoara Declaration on Life, Family and Freedom of Religion

The Alliance of Romania’s Families on August 21st launched a new declaration in support of life, family, parental rights and the right to freedom of religion. The declaration to be known known as the Timisoara Declaration was prepared along the lines of the Manhattan declaration.

The choice of Timisoara for launching the Declaration has historic resonances for the Romanian people being the location of the commencement of the Romanian revolution which brought about the end of totalitarian rule in Romania 21 years ago. The revolution which was started peacefully by a group of Christians who protested, publicly, the infringement of their rights by secular (communist) authorities started there almost 21 years ago and toppled the regime in a matter of days.

Now after 21 years according to a press release issued by the Alliance there is a new revolution in the same place. This time however it is a spiritual and of moral renewal. Though times have changed, obstacles and vicious opposition to Christian values continue this time within a European-wide system which claims to be democratic but nevertheless is motivated by a vitriolic secularist fundamentalism which threatens their historical and hard-won freedoms. The statement continues "Propelled and inspired by the actions of fellow Christians in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, Romanian Christians have determined that the time has come for their voice to be heard in their own homeland and abroad. Through this Declaration they are professing the fundamental truths of the infallible Word of God as they relate to issues of crucial importance for the welfare of society and its survival, foremost among them the sanctity of life, the sanctity of marriage, religious freedom, and human dignity." “This is not a theological declaration or statement,” according to Mr. Bogdan Mateciuc, Executive Director of the Alliance who continued

“It is an expression of views on important social institutions and matters with which the world confronts itself, Romania included. These views are nonnegotiable. They are of Christian inspiration and have their roots in basic notions of morality and human decency. They are common to all cultures, major religions, and across time boundaries. They are shared by the overwhelming majority of Romania’s citizens, regardless of their Christian affiliation. It is a formidable Declaration which calls on the citizens of the city to involve themselves in the betterment of their society and country.”

“This is a crucial document,” according to Dr. Peter Costea, President of the Alliance.

“It affirms in direct and forceful terms the foundational pillars of what a sound society should be all about. Every Christian community around the world should issue a similar statement. Times are hard for those who profess their faith publicly. But Christians are citizens, too, and have rights. They should be exercised to better the world in which they live. By issuing this Declaration we express our solidarity with Christians in other countries who have issued similar declarations. Their forceful proclamations of the Truth in the public square have inspired and encouraged us, and we hope our action today will encourage them as well.”

The press release ends with an invitation to members of the world community to join with the Alliance in proclaiming the principles set out in the Declaration, loudly and unambiguously, by signing, disseminating and making the Declaration known.

Pat Buckley

I was born in Galway, Ireland where I attended first Scoil Fhursa and then St Ignatius (Jesuit) College. My family moved to Cork in 1960 and I spent my last year at the Christian Brothers College in Mc Curtain street Cork (CBC).

I came to Dublin in 1963 where I met and married my wife Philomena. We have lived in Dublin since then and have been blessed with seven children and 17 grandchildren (so far). When I finished school I studied architecture through the professional institutions and I am a retired Member of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (MRIAI). I also hold a BSc. in psychology and political philosophy.

I currently lobby pro-life and pro-family issues at the United Nations in New York and Geneva and occasionally at the European Parliament and Council of Europe. I am a member of the pro-life, pro-family coalition operating within the international institutions and I am a consultant to the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children SPUC on UN and related matters.

Between 1978-85, as a married couple Philomena and I were involved in the presentation of Marriage Encounter Weekends and pre-marriage courses. We also represented Worldwide Marriage Encounter on a committee for the family in the Dublin Archdiocese. Between 1985-1988. I was appointed National Secretary and then President of the Catholic Secondary Schools Parents Association (CSPA). I have been lobbying pro-life issue at the UN for upwards of 12 years.

I am a past President of the National Association of Catholic Families (NACF)

Publications:

1997: Anthology of pro-life verse

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